Antifriction device for shoe heels



1,640,593 1927- s. BUCHSBAUM ANTIERICTION DEVICE FOR SHOE HEELS Filed Sept. 19. 1921 Patented Aug. 30, 1927.

UNITED STATES SAMUEL BUCHSBAUM, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ANTIFRICTION DEVICE FOR SHOE HEELS. I

Application filed September 19, 1921. Serial No. 501,555.

This invention relates to anti-friction devices for heels, and more particularly to such an appliance to be secured to or built into a shoe.

In walking, many people in placing their feet on the ground first contact with the ground with the rear end of the heels of their shoes and then with the ball portion of the soles and in again raising their feet from the ground the heels leave the ground first, the forward portion of the heels being the last part of the heels to leave the ground.

It has been found that the friction between the heel and the ground caused by the movement of the heel relative to the ground when the foot leaves the ground is the cause of much foot trouble, the friction being especially great between the heel and hard surfaces such as paved streets, sidewalks, etc.

It is a purpose of the present invention to provide means for reducing the friction between the heel and the ground when the heel is leaving the ground and by reducing the friction strengthen weak arches, cure bunions and prevent or cure other foot troubles. This is particularly important as it has been found that foot troubles quite often are the cause of or aggravate other diseases, such for example as diabetes.

It is a further purpose of the invention to provide an anti-friction means at the forward end of the heel of a shoe, preferably adjacent the inner edge thereof, and it has been found that the use of such means at the place indicated reduces strain on the foot in walking and cures bunions, weak arches, stiffness and soreness in the knees and other foot troubles.

It is more particularly a purpose of the invention to provide an anti-friction means for the above mentioned purposes on the heel of a shoe, comprising a supporting member secured to the forward face of the heel and having an anti-friction roller mounted thereon flush with the under face of the heel. Said supporting member keeps the foot straight, and prevents wear on the heel. Some people wear their heel on the inner side and some on the outer side, and the arch support may be positioned on either or both sides of the heel to prevent such wear but is shown in the drawings as being adjacent the inner edge of the heel.

The use of the device reduces the exertion required in walking and hence gives the wearer more energy in walking. In strengthening the arch it strengthens the Wearers entire frame.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear asthe description of the accompanying drawings proceeds. However, I desire to have it distinctly understood that I do not intend to limit myself to the exact details shown or described, but that I intend to include as part of my invention all such obvious changes and modifications of parts as would occur to a person skilled in this art and as would fall within the scope of the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly in section of a. shoe showing the invention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a broken bottom plan view of the shoe shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front face view of the antifriction means and mounting therefor; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view thereof.

Referring in detail to the drawings, in Figs. 1 and 2 is shown a shoe 10 having a heel 11 which has secured at the forward face 12 thereof, the plate 13 having the side flanges 14 between which is mounted the roller 15, said roller having the shaft portions 16 mounted in openings 17 in the side flanges 14;. The plate 13 is provided with a pair of openings 18 through which extend the screws or other fastening devices 19 which are used for fastening the plate carrying the roller to the heel 11.

It will be evident that the roller is mount ed immediately adjacent the front face of the heel l1 and near the inner side edge 20 of the heel, the edge 21 of the shoe being. the inner edge thereof or the edge facing the other shoe when the shoes are on the feet of the wearer. The roller, it will be noted, is

I desire to claim and secure by U. S. Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with ,a shoe having a heel, of anti-friction means adjacent said a heel at the forward end thereof, and adjacent the inner edge of said heel, saidantifriction means being substantially flush with the bottom face of said heel.

2. The combination with a shoe having a heel, of an anti-friction roller secured to the front face of said heel adjacent the inner edge thereof, said roller being flush with the bottom face of said heel.

l. The combination with a shoe having a heel, of anti-friction means mounted adjacent. the tread surface of said heel along the forward edge of said heel, said anti-friction means being substantially flush with the bottom face of said heel.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 12th day of September, A. D. 2 

